May I Pick Your Brains? Teacher Applying for T.A. Jobs with No Luck So Far.

[CremeEggThief]

So, after a couple of years out of work to be a SAHM, with very occasional supply, I would like to get back into the workforce and have recently begun applying for primary T.A. jobs. However, no luck so far!

Would anyone have any idea why qualified teachers (Early Years Primary) are being turned down for T.A. posts? Prior to my PGCE, I worked as an SEN LSA part-time for nearly two years, so I have got experience of the job in its own right.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Have you asked for feedback from the schools you have applied for? It might be worth while, also do you do volunteer work at your dc's school? I am really enjoying supply teaching although the child care can be a challenge.

Hi, no, I haven't. I've applied for three so far, so I will do from now on. My agency got me ten days work in a year, despite knowing I was paying out for childcare two days a week to be available for work, so that's why I gave up on supply.

Would you cost more? I.E. I am guessing you would be at the top of the payscale, whereas someone untrained / with basic TA course under their belt would be much cheaper?

Is there provision on the application form for you to state what wage you are happy to be placed on? Also, it may depend what type of role you are applying for - is it one-to-one support or general LSA or HLTA covering PPA? I would have thought you would have had most potential for success with the latter.

What reasons do you give when they ask why you are applying for a TA job when you are a qualified teacher?

(I am not a teacher, but the TA in my sons class last year had changed career from teaching to TA)

Hi, thanks all. The three I have applied for so far were two p/t and one f/t general T.A. I think they were all Level 3. I would never expect to be paid more than the top of the scale for the jobs.

Quint (hope you don't mind the abbreviation), the reason I give for leaving my last job is the postholder came back from maternity leave, and after a period of being a full-time SAHP, I'm seeking to re-enter the workforce. If they ask me your question if I get to interview, I need to find a positive slant on because I don't want the stress and hassle of being a teacher!

That is exactly why that teacher in question did a career change. She is much happier. She has also been an invaluable resource in class, due to her teaching skills. She has all the benefit of working with the children, without the report writing, lesson planning and without so much marking.
Not sure that you can angle it in a similar way, you want to work with primary children, and that your skills can be an invaluable resource in the classroom, but you dont want to be a teacher as you find it too much with young children?

I am erring on the side of caution and holding off applying for TA jobs unless role-specific, I have seen too many taken the lend of :(

You could just cite work-life balance and childcare issues, hence your interest in TA roles?

Do you think they might feel threatened by having another qualified teacher in the classroom? Could that be the reason? Or think that you are just using it as a stop gap?

All of these are reasons that have crossed my mind too, and I have heard in the past that a lot of Heads aren't keen on employing teachers as T.A.s.

In one case, an acquaintance of mine who taught for years has managed to get a T.A. job, but the school seem to be using her as a teacher on the cheap!

Thanks all. I'll keep plugging away for now and start asking for feedback.

Have you tried contacting schools directly for supply work. A couple of my friends started doing volunteer work in their DCs school, then got some supply work and one friend now has a permanent part time contact doing PPA cover and music teaching across the school. I have found contacting schools directly has worked best for me but it is sometimes hard to get a foot in the door. I am also lucky that I my DMum does the main bulk of my child care with adhoc afterschool / breakfast club when needed.

The other area is doing TA work in a special school. I do know TAs in both mainstream and special schools who are trained as a teacher.

Sounds silly but a friend was told consistently she didn't have the tight qualifications....

How ridiculous, Oodsigma!

have you thought of finding a school you really like, Popping in with a Cv and looking all smiley and saying " hello, I am available to do supply on these days with this much notice'

schools LOVE regular supply people who know routines and kids and you can choose where you want to work.

( i got a full time job that way but LOVED supply at a regular school - you also thereby get the camaraderie and social contact that is such fun about working)